Our Amazing Team
Sarah has worked for programs that specialize in Therapeutic Riding and Hippotherapy as well as Equine Assisted Psychotherapy practices. She has experience as an Equine Manager, Equine Specialist, Riding Instructor, and Program Coordinator. She even spent four years developing and teaching courses on Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies at Middle Tennessee State University. She is a life long horse professional and her passion is teaching others about horses and horse behavior. Sarah and her four horses, two children, dogs, cats, chickens (a farm of her own) actually helped start WindWalkers in 2005. She is excited to be back with the Windwalkers family and growing her own.
Liz is a Colorado native who grew up in the Denver suburbs and has called the Roaring Fork Valley home since 2018. Before that, she spent more than a decade in the Washington, DC area developing mental health programs for members of the military, veterans, and their families with the American Red Cross. This ultimately led her to earn her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Johns Hopkins University. Liz has experienced first-hand the healing power of horses. She fell in love with riding in her mid-twenties after some difficult times and through that, she discovered the incredible bond and partnership working with horses creates. The intuitive nature along with their distinct personalities, attitudes, and moods allow for growth and discovery.
Liz also provides talk therapy and play therapy in private practice in Glenwood Springs. She provides kids and adults with a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental environment to explore and address lifeâs challenges. Her expertise includes trauma and attachment, stress and anxiety, depression, grief and loss, LGBTQ issues, eating disorders, poor self-esteem, and relationship and family conflict.
Liz Illick is certified by the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (Eagala). She adheres to the Eagala model and ethical standards. Eagala Certified Mental Health Specialist & Eagala Certified Equine Specialist
Katy Parr, Certified Equine Specialist
Katy grew up in Oklahoma City, OK. At the age of 5 she started riding horses, and at the age of 8 started showing. That was the start of a long love affair with American Saddlebreds.
Katyâs family visited Crested Butte since 1985, and in 2004 she made the move west to be in the mountains of Crested Butte. In 2006, she moved to the Roaring Fork Valley to finish her education at Colorado Mountain College Vet Tech program.
During her time at CMC, she discovered a passion for therapeutic riding and started volunteering at a local therapeutic riding program. This eventually lead to a part time job there where she was introduced to the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (Eagala) Model of equine-assisted psychotherapy and learning. She fell in love with the model and became certified as an equine specialist in 2015. Eagala Certified Equine Specialist.
About Eagala:
The Eagala Model is a team approach that includes a credentialed Mental Health Professional, a qualified Equine Specialist, and horses working together with you in an arena.
When inside the arena, all the work is done on the ground with the horses front and center, deliberately unhindered and never ridden, and allowed to interact with you as they wish. This creates the space for you, with the support of the professional facilitators, to reflect, project, and make deep connections.
The Eagala Model is effective because it embraces the science that we learn best by doing. The model prescribes a hands-on approach where you are given the space to explore and analyze your situations, make connections, and find your own solutions.
Heather graduated from Metropolitan State University with a degree in Bachelor of Arts in Hospitality, Tourism & Events, and a Minor in Anthropology. She is an all around seasoned professional!
Abby's focus on equine behavior and therapy has assisted her in using her experiences to help exercise and maintain training with our herd. Abby brings a shift in human perspective and consciousness, and offers freedom to our horses.
She is currently working on obtaining her Bachelor of Social Work from Colorado Mountain College. Her goal for the future is to achieve her PATH Certification, continue into equine assisted therapy and work with individuals in recovery & at-risk youth.
Natashaâs mission with Wind Walkers is not just about fundraising, events, and outreach programs. It's about empowering individuals in need through the healing power of nature and equine therapy. We strive to provide a safe and nurturing environment where people can cultivate physical, emotional, and mental well-being through interactions with horses and the great outdoors.Through education , therapy, and community outreach, we are committed to enhancing the lives of those we serve and creating a profound and lasting impact on their journey toward healing and self-discovery.
With a passion for music and a desire to help others, I earned my Bachelor of Music Business from Full Sail University in 2018 and worked in Artist Development, a field where I could help artists succeed so that their music could reach the people who needed it most. Mainly focusing on enhancing artists' brands and social media presence. It was fulfilling work, but something in me knew I still had more to offer.
As life would have it, I eventually found my way back to the Roaring Fork Valleyâa place I never really left, despite a short hiatus in Nashville. I found myself connecting with WindWalkers as a volunteer in April 2023. Inspired by the powerful work being done to support individuals through equine therapy, I was thrilled to join the team as the Marketing Manager, where I now combine my love for community, healing, and storytelling.
Growing up, horses were always a big part of my lifeâ starting with my first horse, a wild mustang named Bandit, who allowed me to connect with him in an incredibly special way, and our bond still holds a place in my heart. Now, at WindWalkers, I combine my passion for horses with my drive to help others by sharing the incredible stories of our riders, volunteers, and therapy horses. Every day, I am reminded that the power of connectionâwhether through music or the bond between horse and riderâcan change lives.
With a true passion for connecting all students to the transformative benefits of equine therapy, I bring over 20 years of classroom experience in the Roaring Fork Valley and a strong background in curriculum development and design for diverse populations. Throughout my career, I have been dedicated to creating inclusive and engaging learning experiences that meet the unique needs of each student.
My journey as an educator has provided me with invaluable insights into the importance of personalized learning. I have had the privilege of developing and implementing curricula that foster student engagement, promote emotional well-being, and achieve positive educational outcomes. I am excited to bring this expertise to Windwalkers, where I can help bridge the gap between traditional educational settings and the innovative, therapeutic environment we offer.
As the School Liaison, I am committed to building strong relationships with schools in the valley and other educational institutions, ensuring that students from all backgrounds have access to the incredible benefits of equine therapy. I am passionate about designing unique curricula that integrate therapeutic activities with academic goals, creating holistic learning experiences that support the development and growth of each student.
I look forward to collaborating with the talented team at Windwalkers and contributing to the ongoing success of our programs. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of our participants and the broader community.
Thank you for welcoming me to the team. I am excited about the opportunities ahead and am dedicated to advancing our mission through innovative and compassionate educational initiatives.
Lilly is our honorary âbarn ratâ that makes sure our facility runs smoothly, that our herd is well cared for, pastures are maintained and shares her deep connection with the herd.
She is currently working on obtaining her certification as a Vet Tech from Colorado Mountain College, with a focus on large animals and genetics.
